Cigarette-making machine



Sept. 2l, 1943.

F. F. RUAU CIGARETTE MAKING MACHINE Filed May 28, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l waPh/eys Sept. 21, 1943. F. F. RUAU CIGARETTE MAKING MACHINE Filed May 28, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lll lllllllllll l\ Patented Sept. 21, 1943 UNrrao [STATES artnr oFF-ica j.i 2,tss`ao1'0 v vv CIGARETTE-MAKING MACHINE rnxrraeric nusu, Deptford, Lemon, England, assignor to Molins Machine .Company ,Limi-ted, Deptford, London, Englandl v Application May 28, 1941, fSerialNc. 395,666 In Great Britain June 26,l 1940 1 6 Glaims. (Cl. ISI-'66) This invention concerns improvements in or relating to cigarette makingmachines of the continuous rod type in which a stream of tobacco is partly enveloped by a conveyor and carried thereby between compression surfaces which cooperate` to reduce the cross-sectional area of the stream, the exposed portion of the streamxbeing engaged by a stationary compression surface.

In modern continuous rod typeA cigarette malring machinesit is usual to 4form a stream fof tobacco on a conveyor which comprises anendless band or tape or `a web of cigarette paper which is usually supported by an endless bandlor tape; however, for convenience. of description "a tape willl be referred to hereafter. The tape is folded to substantiallyau form with Ythe limbs .ofthe U directed upwardly and is moved *througha tro ugh and beneath. avertical chute during which movement tobacco is showered downwardly thlough the chutefongto the tape to form'A a stream of tobacco on the tape. Since theV tape thev friction between the ,tobacco stream and .the tongue by making-the tobacco-'engaging surface of the'latter assmooth as possible and a further suggestion. was to provide the tongue Vducts for lubricant leading to the tobacco engaging surface of thetongue. Prior proposals, however, have not proved toV be entirely satisfactory and it is an object of the invention' to provide an alternative means of reducing friction between the tobacco stream and the tonguez Y It has also, been proposedin continuous .rod cigarette-making machines of the kind inwhich ftobacc'cL-is formed into a relatively hard` rod by compression rollers before the tobacco is moved beneath the'v compression tongue, to apply lubricant tothe; pressure rollers vfor the purpose vof preventing adherence of particlesfof tobacco, to enable scraper elements to keep the peripheral surface's of the roller clean. In such cases. the

is of U vformation the stream is partly enveloped e by the tape.

After passing beyond -.the chute the tape car; ries the tobacco stream between stationary compression surfaces one of which engages the exposed portion of the tobacco stream.,V rThis latter compression surface is usually referred to as the compression tongue and comprises a converging or tapered member of generally U shaped cross-section providing a groove or channel therein ofidiminishing cross-sectional area. The tape is engaged by further stationary compression surfaces which form what is commonly known as a rod forming garniture and comprises a converging channel of substantially U shaped cross-section. The tobacco stream vismoved Aby the tape in the direction of convergence of the tongue and garniture so that the tobacco stream is compressed and its cross-sectional areagradually reduced. v Y' v From the foregoing it willfbe seen that during the compression of the stream the only element which frictionally engages the tobacco is the corn-v pression tongue. It is important Jthat the amount of that friction on the tobacco lshall-be reduced as far as possible during the reduction of the cross-sectional area of the tobacco by compression because there is otherwise a tendency for the stream to jam between the converging surfaces or at least Yfor the arrangement of the tobacco strands or shreds forming the stream to become displaced with the result that the finished product is impaired.

It has Previously been proposed to minimise lubricanthas been applied to the periphery of the roller byapad, to which oil was applied from time to time. Ndattemptwas, however, made to control the quantity of oil'so applied to 'the' pad and since the merest iilmof lubricant'on the periphery of the roller would serve the .purpose .intended, the pads could become almost drybefore it wasvnecessaryfto :apply more oil to them. v It isfprobable, therefore, that when usingthis prior proposal some `lubricant was at times, transferred from the compression rollers to the tobacco and carriedthereby tof the vcompression tongue It was not, however, appreciated that any benefit could be obtained by carrying Alubricant to the tongue in that Vmanner and in view of the fact that the pad could runf almost dry, `nov consistent benefit could have been obtained by the prior proposal withregard to lubricating the tobacco-engaging surfacesoffthe` tongue, because the quantity of lubricant carried by `the tobacco would vary from a maximum fromi the timewhen the Ypad was first charged with' lubricant to a minimum at the time ywhen the pad wasalmost dry. In the latterfcasaof course, there could be no lubricating effect on the tobacco-engaging surfaceV of the tongue, `because the 'quantity of lubricantl would be .iniinitesmial' andof 'no use whatever for the purpose -of lubrication ofthe tongue. Thus, although occasional :lubrication might unintentionally havev taken ,place -in the earlier construction at' times, the device was `not intended to act as a lubricant for the tongue, nor was it realised that lubrication ofr the. tongue could take place. y f

LItis believedmoreover that` a major cause'of the friction at the tongue is `due to the pressure of particles of adhesive which are deposited from time to time on the tongue and ferm a sticky film on the surface thereof. iAs is well known tobacco contains juices of a sticky nature and these are `squeezed out by the pressure at the tongue and form a deposit.

The present invention is directed to the reduction of friction at the compression tongue by the application of a liquid to that part of a stream of tobacco which is engaged by the compression tongue prior to the stream passing beneath the tongue, but in order to obtain the de-` sired reduction of friction it is necessary to ensure that the liquid is applied to the tobacco consistently and in controlled quantities. The liquid is intended to act as a cleansing medium to remove the film previously mentioned and naturally the presence of liquid particles tends to reduce friction quite apart from the cleansing eect.

According to the invention there is provided in a cigarette making machine of the kind described, means operable during running of the machine, to apply a liquid at a substantially uniform rate to the exposed surface of the tobacco stream prior to said exposed surface being engaged by a stationary compression surface.

Further, accordingto the invention there is provided in a cigarette making machine of the kind described, reserve means to maintain a reserve of liquid, a transfer-device operable dur- U directed upwardly and the tape is moved through a trough 4 and beneath a vertical chute (not shown) during which movement tobacco is showered (by tobacco feeding apparatus not shown) downwardly through the chute on to the tape 3 to form a stream of tobacco. Since the tape 3 is of U formation the stream is partly enveloped by the tape but the upper surface of the stream is exposed.

After passing beyond the chute the tape 3 carries the tobacco stream to a position at which the tobacco stream is transferred from the tape 3 on to the surface of a cigarette-paper web 5 which is supported by a second tape 6. The paper-web and the tape 6 are also folded to a substantially U form and carry the tobacco stream A between stationary compression surfaces I and 8 ing running of the machine to receive liquid from said reserve means, and to apply liquid at a ply controlled quantities of liquid to the r'eserve-` means.

The supply-means may comprise, Aar liquid container, a conduit through which liquid passes from the container to the reserve-means, the conduit being adapted to receive liquid only from a position above the liquid in the container, a drip-rod to guide liquid into said conduit, and a scoop operable after predetermined intervals of time to transfer a quantity of liquid from the container to thedrip-rod.' The drip-rod and the scoop may be supported for movement with a rotatable carrier. The scoop may be mounted for movement relatively to the carrier and the drip-rod for the purpose 'of ensuring that liquid is received by the drip-rod at a time when the latter is in a position to guide the liquid into the conduit.

A protuberance may be' provided on the driprod to assist in forming a liquid drop which is to be guided into the conduit.

The reserve means may comprise an absorbent pad and the transfer-device may comprise a roller arranged to engage the pad andthe exposed surface of the tobacco stream.

One embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation'of a part of a cigarette making machine of the kind described.

Figure2 is an end view of a part of Figure 1 drawn to an enlarged scale and is shown partly in section.

Figure 3 shows a detail of Figure 1 drawn to an enlarged scale. v

Referring to the drawings, a tape 3 is folded to substantially U form with the limbs of the of which surfaces the surface 8 engages the exposed surface of the tobacco stream. 'I'he compression surface 8 is usually referred to as the compression tongue and comprises a converging or tapered member of generally U shaped cross-section providing a groove or channel therein of diminishing cross-sectional area. The tobacco stream is moved in the direction of convergence of the tongue 8 as indicated by the arrow.

Between the position at which the tape 3 emerges from the chute and that at which it passes beneath the tongue 8 there is provided, above the stream, a positively rotated roller 9. rFhe roller is driven by a belt I0 from the main drive of the machine. The peripheral surface of the roller 9 is arranged to engage the exposed surface of the tobacco stream and to .apply a light preliminary pressure to the stream.

' The peripheral surface of the roller 9 also engages a liquid reserve which comprises an absorbent pad II (see Figure 2) supplied with a cleansing liquid, such as glycerine. The roller 9 acts as a transfer-device andas it rubs past the pad IIa film of liquid is transferred to the roller and the latter in turn transfers a film of liquid to the exposed surface of the tobacco stream prior to the latter being engaged by the tongue 8. The pad is contained in a holder I2 supported by a bracket I3.

The apad is provided with a predetermined quantity of liquid prior to the machine being started up and thereafter the quantity is maintainedby feeding additional liquid to the pad during the running of the machine.

The quantity of liquid delivered to the pad during the running of the machine is regulated so that the pad does not contain too great a quantity of the liquid. To obtain this regulation a supply of the liquid 25 is contained in a container I4 from which it is delivered to the pad at a substantially uniform rate.

The container I4 comprises a cylindrical drum mounted so that its axis is horizontal and parallel with the axis of rotation of the wheel 9. A conduit I5 is provided through which liquid passes from the container to the pad I I and the conduit is so arranged that it receives liquid only at the bell-mouthed end I6 which is above the height of the level of the liquid in the container. A driprod I 'I guides liquid into the conduit and a scoop I8 delivers a quantity of liquid to the drip-rod. The drip-rod and the scoop are mounted on a rotatable carrier I9, the latter being supported on a spindle 2U. The mechanism for rotating the spindle 2U is similar to that employed for driving the minute-hand of an electric-clock, the motor for which is contained in the box 2 I 'I The scoop I8 is pivoted, at 22 in the carrier. I9 so as to ybe,movable-relatively to thecarrierand to the dripfrcd; u By thismeansfliquld is delivered to the drip-rod by the scoop at a time when the drip-rod isv in a position to guidethe liquid into the conduit. Thus when. the drip-rod and scoop reach a position4 about `half-Way between the horizontal and that shown inzFigure l, the scoop tips due to gravity and so delivers liquid to the drip-rod. The drip-rod and the scoop are so dimensioned and the carrier-is so rotated that liquid'is delivered to the pad at the rate; of about one drop every two minutes during the running` of the machine. i l

, To assist informing the drop to be delivered by 4thedrip-rod tothe conduit, a `protuberance 23 is formed on theIdrip-rod, this protruberanc is clearlyillustrated in AFigure 3.

A transparent Window 2,4 may be provided to enable theV machine operator to observe theoperation ofthe liquid feeding apparatus. 1 If desired, the upper portion of the Window is made removable. to lpermit adjustments to be made to the drip-rod and scoop. The window is contained in fluid tightjoints, l

The quantity` of liquid received by the Wheel 9 is determined bythe nature .and condition'of the tobacco being worked` upon, the state of atmosphere and the methodsv of manufacture pursued. Further, the size of the scoop and the speedof rotation of the carrier will depend on the viscosity of theliquid and on the` rate at which it is desiredthe liquid shall be fed to the pad. The various factors will, of course, vary with individual cases. i

Assuming the cigarette making machine .to be operated so las to manufacturelZOO cigarettes per minute, the length of a cigarette being'l() mm., it will be clear that the quantityjof liquid' appliedto the ,upper surface of the tobacco as the latter passes beneath the Wheel 9,'is minute since, as stated above, the liquid is delivered `to thepad at the' average ratev of only about one drop vever two minutes. Thus, the amount of liquid which can remain on the tobacco as distinct from the metal partsy is negligible, quite apart from any losses which may occur due to evaporation.

Y The liquid to be used is preferably a liquid which is colourless and Whichhas no' smell. By using a liquid whichhas no smell, one avoids the danger of .the tobacco absorbing the smell should, in the even of an accident, a quantity of the liquid be spilledin the vicinity ofthe tobacco andnot be cleaned away for some time.`

What` I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:`

' 1. In a cigarette making machine of the continuous rod type, a conveyor adapted partly to envelope a stream of tobacco, compression surfaces between which the` tobaccois moved and which cooperate to reduce the cross sectional area of the stream, a stationary compression surface to engagethe exposed portion of ythe stream, and means operable during running of the machine, to move with the` stream and apply liquid ata substantially uniform rate to the exposed surface of thestrearn prior to thesaid exposed surface being engaged by the said stationary compression surface.4

2. In a cigarette making machine ofthe con-y tinuous rod type, a 'conveyor adapted partly to envelope astream oftobacco, compression-surfaces between which` thetobacco ismoved and which cooperate `t reduce the" `crossfseetional area; lof. the .xstreamyY a stationary ...compression tongue togengage the. exposed portion ofthe stream-,3: reserve-means to maintain-a reserve supply of liquid, atransfer.-devicev operabledur-L ing. running? ofthe machine to 'receive .liquid from isaid reserve-means having a moving :sur

face which,isiadaptedtovengage the stream and to applyliquid atasubstantially uniformrate tothe 'exposedsurface 4of.` the tobacco `stream prior` to thesaid exposed Vsurface being engaged by the said stationaryV compressiontongue, and supply-meansoperable at predetermined inter,- vals ofv time tosupply controlled quantities of liquid .tothe .reserve-means. i 3. 'na'icigarctte making machine; of rthe continuous rod type, a conveyor adapted partly toenvelope a stream of tobacco,'compressio'n surfaces between .which the .tobacco is moved and which cooperate to reduce the cross-sectional :area of the reserve means, the conduit being adapted to f receive liquid only from a position above the liquid l in the` container, a drip-rod to guide liquid into said conduit, and a scoop-operable after predeterminedfintrvals of time to transfer a quantity of lliquid from the container to the drip-rod.`

- 4. In a cigarette making machine "of the continuous rod type, a conveyorl adapted partly to envelopea stream of tobacoogcompression surfaces between Which the tobacco is moved and which cooperate to reduce thefcross-sectional area' of the stream, a stationary compression surface to engage the exposed portion of the stream, reservemeans to maintain a reserve supply of liquid, a transfer-deviceoperable during running of vthe machine to receive liquid from said 'reserve-means having a` moving surfacev which Ais adapted to engage the stream and t`oallply'liquid ata substantially uniform rate to the Vexposed surface of the tobacco stream prior to the "said exposed surface being -engagedby the sa'id stationary Acompression surface, aliquid container, a conduit through whichliquia passes fromth'e containerto the reserve means, the conduit bein'g adapted to receive liquid lonly from a, position aboveltheliquid inthe container, a drip-rod-to guide liquid into said' conduit, a scoop operable after predetermined intervals of 'time to transfer a quantityof `liquid from the `container to the drip-rod, and a rotatable carrier on which rthe dripfrcdfand the scoop vare mounted for move; ment` therewith.

5. .In a cigarette making machine of the continuous rod type,- a conveyor adaptedpartly'to envelope as'treamof tobacco, vcompression sur# faces 'between' which lthe tobacco is moved' and Which co-operate to reduce thecr'oss-s'ectional area 'of` the stream, a stationary 'compression tongue to engage the exposedy portion of -the stream, reserve-means to maintain aeserve supplyof liquid, a transfer-device 'operable during running :of the "machine to receive liquid from said reserve-means having a moving "surface whichis adapted' to engage the 'streamiand to apply liquid at a substantially uniform rate to the exposed surface of the tobacco stream prior to the said exposed surface being engaged by a stationarycompression tongue, the said liquid container, a conduit through which liquid passes from the container to thereserve-means, the conduit being adapted t receive liquid only from a position above the liquid in the container, a driprod to guide liquid into said conduit, a scoop operable after' predetermined intervals of time to transfer a quantity of liquid from the container to the driprod,'and a rotatable carrier on which the drip-rod 'and `the scoop are mounted for movement therewith, said scoop being. mounted for movement relatively to the carrier andthe drip-rod for the purpose of ensuring that liquid is received by the drip-rod at a time when the latteris in a position to guide the liquid into the conduit.

6.r In a cigarette making machine of the continuous rod type, a conveyor adapted partly to envelope a stream of tobacco, compression surfaces between which the tobacco is moved and which co-operate to reduce the cross-sectional area of the stream, a stationary vcompression tongue to engage the exposed portion of the stream, reserve-means to maintain a reserve supply of liquid, a transfer-device operable during running of the machine to receive liquid from said reserve-means having a moving surface which is `adapted to engage the Stream and to apply liquid at a substantially uniform rate to the exposed surface of the tobacco stream prior to the said exposed surface being engaged by the said stationary compression tongue, aliquid container, a conduit through which liquid passes from the container to the reserve-means, the conduit being adapted to vreceive liquid only from a position above the liquid in the container, `a driprod to guide liquid linto said conduit, a protuberance on the drip-rod to assist in forming a liquid-drop, and a scoop operable after predetermined intervals of time to transfer a quantity of liquid from the container to the drip-rod.

'7. In a cigarette making machine of the continuous rod type, a conveyor adapted partly to envelope a stream of tobacco, compression surfaces between which thetobacco is moved and which co-operate `to reduce the cross-sectional area of the stream, a stationary compression tongue to engage the exposed portion of the stream, reserve-means to maintain a reserve supply of liquid, a transfer-device operable during running of the machine to receive liquid from said reservemeans having a moving surface which is adapted to engage the stream and to apply liquid at a substantially uniform rate to the exposed surface of the tobacco stream prior to the said exposed surface being engaged bythe said stationary compression tongue, a liquid container, a conduit through which liquid passes from the container to the reserve-means, the conduit being adapted to receive liquid only from a position above the liquid in the container, a drip-rod to guide liquid into said conduit, a protuberance on the drip-rod to assist in forming a liquid-drop, a scoop operable after predetermined intervals of time to transfer a quantity of liquid from the container to the drip-rod, and a rotatable carrier on which the drip-rod and the scoop are mounted for movement therewith. 8. In a cigarette making machine of the continuous rod type, a conveyor adapted partly to envelope a stream of tobacco, compression surfaces between which the tobacco is moved Aand which cooperate `to reduce the cross-sectional area of the stream, a stationary compression surface to engage the exposed portion of the stream, reserve-means to maintain a reserve supply of liquid, a transfer-device operable during running of the machine toreceive liquid from said reservemeans having a moving surface which is adapted to engage the stream and to apply liquid at a substantially uniform rate t0 the exposed surface of the tobacco stream prior to the said exposed surface being engaged by the said stationary compression surface, a liquid container, a conduit through which liquid passes from the container to the reserve-means, the conduit being adapted to receive liquid only from a position above the liquid in the container, a drip-rod to guide liquid into said conduit, a protuberance on the drip-rod to assist in forming a liquid-drop, a scoop operable after vpredetermined intervals of time to transfer a quantity of liquid from the container to the drip-rod, and a rotatable carrier on which the drip-rod and the scoop are mounted for movement therewith, said scoop being mounted for movement relatively to the carrier and the drip-rod for the purpose of ensuring that liquid is received by the drip-rod at a time when the latter is in a position to guide the liquid into the conduit.

9. In a cigarette making machine of the continuous rod type, a conveyor adapted partly to envelope a stream of tobacco, compression surfaces between which the tobacco is moved and which cooperate to reduce the cross-sectional area of the stream, a stationary compression tongue to engage the exposed portion of the stream, an absorbent pad to maintain a reserve supply of liquid, a transfer-device operable during running of the machine to receive liquid from said absorbent pad and to apply liquid at a substantially uniform rate to the exposed surface of the tobacco stream prior to the `said exposed surface being` engaged by the said stationary compression tongue, and supplymeans operable at predetermined intervals of time to supply controlled quantities of liquid to the absorbent pad. i

l0. In a cigarette making machine of the continuous rod type, a conveyor adapted partly to envelope a stream of tobacco, compression sur- -faces between which the tobacco is moved and which cooperate to reduce the cross-sectional area of the stream, a stationary compression tongue to engage the exposed portion of the stream, an absorbent pad to maintain a reserve supply of liquid, a transfer-device operable during running of the machine to receive liquid from said absorbent pad and to apply liquid at a substantially uniform rate to the exposed surface of the tobacco stream prior to the said exposed surface being engaged by the said stationary compression tongue, a liquid container, a conduit through which liquid passes from the container to the absorbent pad, the conduit being adapted to receive liquid only from a position above the liquid in the containen-a drip-rod to guide liquid into said conduit, and a scoop operable after predetermined intervals of time to transfer a quantity of liquid from the container to the driprod.

11. In a cigarette making machine of the continuous rod type, a conveyor adapted partly to envelope a stream of tobacco, compression surfaces between which the tobacco is moved and which cooperate to reduce the cross-sectional area of the stream, a stationary compression tongue to engage the exposed portion of the stream, an absorbent pad to maintain a reserve supply of liquid, a transfer-device operable during running of the machine to receive liquid from said absorbent pad and to apply liquid at a substantially uniform rate to the exposed surface of the tobacco stream prior to the said exposed surface being engaged 'by the said stationary compression tongue, a liquid container, a conduit through which liquid passes from the container to the absorbent pad, the conduit being adapted to receive liquid only from a `posit-ion above the liquid in the container, a drip-rod to guide liquid into said conduit, a scoop operable after predetermined intervals of time to transfer a quantity of liquid from the container to the drip-rod, and a rotatable carrier on which the drip-rod and the scoop are mounted for movement therewith, said scoop being mounted for movement relatively to theu carrier and the drip-rod for the purpose of ensuring that liquid is received by the drip-rod at a time at which the latter is in a position to guide the liquid into the conduit. Y

12. In a cigarette making machine of the continuous rod type, a conveyor adapted partly to envelope a stream of tobacco, compression surfaces between which the tobacco is moved and which cooperate to reduce the cross-sectional area of the stream, a stationary compression tongue to engage the exposed portion of the stream, an absorbent pad to maintain a reserve supply of liquid, a transfer-device operable during running of the machine to receive liquid from said absorbent pad and to apply liquid ata substantially uniform rate to the exposed surface of the tobacco stream prior to the said exposed surface being engaged by the said stationary compression tongue, a liquid container, a conduit through which liquid passes from the container to the absorbent pad, the conduit being adapted to receive liquid only from a position above the liquid in the container, a drip-rod to guide liquid into said conduit, a protuberance on the drip-rod to assist in forming a liquid-drop, and a scoop operable after predetermined intervals of time to transfer a quantity of liquid from the container to the drip-rod.

13. In a cigarette making machine of the continuous rod type, a conveyor adapted partly to envelope a stream of tobacco, compression sur-i faces between which the tobacco is moved and which cooperate to reduce the cross-sectional area of the stream, a stationary compression tongue to engage the exposed portion of the stream, an absorbent pad to maintain a reserve supply of liquid, a roller operable during running of the machine to receive liquid from said absorbent pad and to apply liquid at a substantially uniform rate to the exposed surface of the tobacco stream prior to the said exposed surface being engaged by the said stationary compression tongue, and supply-means operable at predetermined intervals of time to supply controlled quantities of liquid to the absorbent pad.

14. In a cigarette making machine of the continuous rod type, a conveyoradapted partly to envelope a stream of tobacco, compression surfaces between Which the tobacco is moved and which cooperate to reduce the cross-sectional area of the stream, a stationary compression tongue to engage the exposed portion of the stream, an absorbent pad to maintain a reserve supplyof liquid, a roller operable during running of the machine to receive liquid from said absorbent pad and to apply liquid at a substantially uniform rate to the exposed surface of the tobacco stream prior to the said exposed surface being engaged by the said stationary compression tongue, a liquid container, a conduit through which liquid passes from the container to the absorbent pad, the conduit being adapted to receive liquid only from a position above the liquid in the container, a drip-rod to guide liquid into said conduit, and a scoop operable after predetermined intervals of time to transfer a quantity of liquid from the container to the drip-rod. v

15. In a cigarette making machine of the continuous rod type, a conveyor adapted partly to envelope a stream of tobacco, compression surfaces between which the tobacco is moved and which cooperate to reduce the cross-sectional area of the stream, a stationary compression tongue to engage the exposed portion of the stream, an absorbent pad to maintain a reserve supply of liquid, a rollerl operable during running of the machine to receive liquid from said absorbent pad and to apply liquid at a substantially uniform rate to the exposed surface of the tobacco stream prior to the said exposed surface being engaged by the said stationary compression tongue, a liquid container, a conduit through which liquid passes from the container to the absorbent pad, the conduit being adapted to receive liquid onlyfrom a position above the liquid in the container, a drip-rod to guide liquid into said conduit, a scoop operable after predetermined intervals of time to transfer a quantity of liquid from the container to the driprod, and a rotatable carrier on which the driprod and the scoop are mounted for movement therewith, said scoop being mounted for movement relatively to the carrier and the drip-rod for the purpose of ensuring that the liquid is received by the drip-rod at a time when the' latter is in a position to guide the liquid into the conduit.

16. In a cigarette making machine of the con# tinuous rod type, a conveyor adapted partly to envelope a stream of tobacco, compression surfaces between Which the tobacco is moved and which co-operate to reduce vthe cross-sectional area of the stream, a stationary compression tongue to engage the exposed portion of the stream, an absorbent pad to maintain a reserve supply of liquid, a roller operable during running of the machine to receive liquid from said absorbent pad and to apply liquid at a substantially uniform rate to the exposed surface of the tobacco stream prior to the said exposed sur-` I face being engaged by the said stationary compression tongue, 'a liquid container, a conduit through which liquid passes from the container to the absorbent pad, the conduit being adapted to receive liquid `only from a position above the liquid in the container, a drip-rod to guide liquid into said conduit, a protuberance on the driprod to assist in forming a liquid-drop, anda scoop operable after predetermined intervals of time to transfer a quantity of liquid from the container to the drip-rod.

FmX FRDRIC RUAU. 

